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18 Hudson Valley Parent n April 2016 Let Van Vliet Orthodontics be the future of your smile! 19 Woodside Place, Highland, NY 12528 (845) 691-8330 Dr. Van Vliet and his team focus on the latest technology in orthodontic care including: 3D Imaging 3D Intraoral Scanning 3D SureSmile Results Call today for a complimentary consultation By LINDA FREEMAN L ong ago, women successfully had babies without taking pre- natal vitamins, so how necessary are they really? Obviously, a mother's health directly affects the child she's car- rying from embryo to fetus to baby when she avoids things like drugs, smoking and alcohol, but mom also contributes to baby's health by consuming essential nutrients like folic acid, calcium, iron, calcium and vitamin D. Necessary nutrients According to the American Con- gress of Obstetricians and Gynecolo- gists (ACOG), women need more of certain nutrients - specifically folic acid and iron - when pregnant and also prior to conception. Folic acid is a B vitamin that helps prevent neural tube defects - serious birth conditions which affect the brain and spine. Since they develop in the first 28 days after conception - generally before many women know they are pregnant - 400 mi- crograms daily is recommended for women of childbearing age. Foods that are naturally rich in folic acid How necessary are prenatal vitamins?